Yippee! I Got Through to AARP

By John T Jones, Ph.D.
After a number of weeks, I got through to AARP.
I’m an impatient man. I can’t wait forever for an agent to come online. If I don’t get cut off automatically, I don’t hang around if my lunchtime comes and goes while waiting.
This morning I decided to try a brand new strategy. I would call in the morning.
Brilliant!
After some fiddling around with the buttons, Chris came on the line. She is in Stockton, California. I was so surprised to hear an AARP human I dropped my cocoa into my lap causing me to dance around my desk. That added to the joy of hearing a fellow human being from AARP.
Chris enrolled me into the MedicareRx plan. That is she started the process. She transferred me to Amy who verified the information needed. We then went through the same procedure with my wife. Before I talked to Amy, I had to listen to a very long spiel about the plan. I had to agree that I understood the spiel and that I agreed to its terms. Suddenly, we were both enrolled. I couldn’t believe it.
Well, there is a two-week wait for the plan to come through. I selected the option that lets Social Security deduct the MedicareRx Plan premiums.
I carry supplemental insurance with AARP. I’ve always enjoyed the way they pay every single penny of my medical expenses beyond what Medicare pays.
Well, there was one exception. One of my specialist doctors does not except checks from Medicare or AARP. I get the checks and then pay his bill. The checks do not cover the bill because he wants an extra 20%. I heard that some doctors want the extra 15%. Whatever! Anyway, who wants to pay extra?
Anyway, I’m changing from Specialist A to Specialist B. Specialist B accepts Medicare payments. Besides, Specialist A scared the heck out of me during a medical test. Also, he is always seems to be in a big hurry and …
Yesterday the Humana® agent came to the house. He explained the Humana® plan available here in Idaho. They are the new guys on the block as they move west across the country. They still have the West Coast states to harness.
The Humana® plan looked good to me. However, I feel safer with my AARP plan that pays everything without co-pays and all that stuff. For a healthy couple, Humana® would be just fine and less costly. You only pay for services as you use them with Humana®.
Each of the above statements about Humana® assumes that I understood what the agent was talking about. A more definitive analysis would require six weeks study on my part of the service pack he left me.
Anyway, the reason I decided to join the MedicareRx plan is that after you get through the GAP that occurs when your drug cost reach $2250.00 and ends when your drug cost reach $3600.00, you are covered to infinity. My AARP drug plan ends when the total cost are $6250.00. There is no GAP however with AARP.
You have to decide. As ARRP states, if you think that you someday will need coverage beyond the GAP, you might consider MedicareRx. The other factor is your total drug cost. I reduced my cost by going to MedicareRx. The reason is the dramatic cost of my AARP supplemental plan when I remove drug coverage cost.
Now let’s talk about the GAP in the MedicareRx plan. Why is there a GAP and why is it so huge?
The GAP in MedicareRx is called the “doughnut hole.” It is the reason that so few eligible people have joined MedicareRx. The GAP was designed because Congress just loves (to bilk) the taxpayers of our country. They did not want drug cost to “get out of hand.”
I’ll tell you where the cost got out of hand. It is the $2 billion windfall given to the drug tsars by the MedicareRx Plan.
I’m not too bitter.
I’ve got go get a drink of cranberry juice. I’ve got this horrible taste in my mouth.
The End
John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of R&D for Lenox China, is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine. He is Executive Representative of IWS sellers of Tyler Hicks wealth-success books and kits. He also sells TopFlight flagpoles. He calls himself "Taylor Jones, the hack writer."
More info: http://www.tjbooks.com
Business web site: http://www.dumbincome.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_T_Jones,_Ph.D.

The Obsessive-Compulsive Person

By John T Jones, Ph.D.
Do you continually check to see if the doors are locked while in your car or in your home? Do you listen for sounds in your motel room? Wonder if anyone is messing with your car parked outside?
Do you wash your hands over and over again like you had just come in contact with whatever causes leprosy? Well, if not today, five years ago.
Do you wonder if you put a stamp on that letter you just dropped into the mailbox after having checked the letter a zillion times?
Is that a spot of lint on the clothes drier exhaust screen? Do I need to dust the table out on the deck although I dusted it five minutes ago?
If the above describes your behavior, you have OCD.
I have OCD.
I learned that at http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/ocd.html.
If you suspect you have OCD whatever you do don’t go to this web site. It won’t help you any.
Another warning: if you do not have OCD, don’t go there either. You might catch it.
For those of you who are now worried about catching leprosy because of my thoughtless example above, don’t go to http://www.flash-med.com/Cause_of_Leprosy.asp.
When I started this article, I was content being obsessive. My dad was obsessive. Why not me?
Dad checked the parking break on his car from Salt Lake City to Coeur d'Alene. I checked mine from Atlantic City to Payson, Arizona.
Psychology Today says on their site referenced earlier that the disease was rare until the psychologist decided to make a big deal about it.
Well, they didn’t say that. I’m just reading between the lines.
Now that the disease is a disease and is big rather than small, it can be treated by drugs and therapy.
Psychologist must now be making a bundle on OCD. I have a friend in the business. I’ll have to ask him.
I decided to write about being obsessive this afternoon. I didn’t have OCD until I went to the Psychology Today site. Then I caught it. So watch out if you go there.
Recently I have been scribbling out articles for http://ezinearticles.com/. I’ve been doing this for five months producing about 50 articles each month. There are over 12,000 writers and I wanted to be in the top 100. Then I wanted to be in the top 50. Then I wanted to be in the top 25. Then I wanted to be in the top 20. Now I want to be in the top 15. I decided that was being obsessive.
After going to Psychology Today I realize that I’ve had dangerous thoughts for years. Repetitive thoughts! Déjà vu all over again as Yogi Berra said.
These thoughts are of course harmless before you go to Psychology Today.
They then become dangerous and dehabilitating.
Psychology is an exact non-science.
Psychology is not an exact non-science.
Psychology is an exact non-science.
Psychology is non-science.
Don’t you just hate psychology?
Don’t you just hate psychology?
Oh! Sorry about that repetitive thinking.
Got to go! Just got an idea for Article Number 257!
Eleven more articles and I’ll be anchored at position 16–a great base camp for the great climb to number 15.
John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of R&D for Lenox China, is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine. He is Executive Representative of IWS sellers of Tyler Hicks wealth-success books and kits. He also sells TopFlight flagpoles. He calls himself "Taylor Jones, the hack writer."
More info: http://www.tjbooks.com
Business web site: http://www.aaaflagpoles.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_T_Jones,_Ph.D.

Relationship Advice: How to Talk to Your Doctor

By Nicholas Messina M.D.
It is official...Marcus Welby is dead! His assassins, managed care and medical malpractice are still at large.
The days of house calls and familiarity between doctor and patient are going the way of vinyl records. What may be surprising to many is that the majority of doctors are just as angry and frustrated with the situation as the patients.
As a physician, I have had the opportunity to experience this dilemma from both sides; as a doctor and as a patient. The following 7 tips include gestures that I responded to favorably as a doctor and actions that aided me as a patient.

Have your insurance and personal information updated and ready prior to your visit. Nothing slows down the front office more than unprepared patients.If all patients are prepared with the above information the office staff is less stressed, delays are avoided, and the amount of time you spend waiting for the doctor is reduced.This tip avoids stress on both sides of the fence.
Have a list of your current medications with you at your visit. You would be surprised how many patients take medication without knowing the name or dose of what they are taking.Take responsibility for your health by knowing what you are putting into your body.In a busy primary care office medication changes sometimes may not be charted. This can cause the wrong medication to be prescribed on a refill request.Knowing your medication name and dose helps prevent medication errors.
Have a list of your symptoms with you at your visit. You can help your doctor arrive at a speedy, accurate diagnosis by having a list of symptoms which are specific to your complaint.This saves the doctor from having to perform a complete review of systems to look for clues.
Have a list of questions prepared. Prepare a few reasonable questions for your visit,keeping in mind that time is a factor.Common questions come up frequently,and in many cases the nurse can give you an adequate answer.If the nurse is unable to answer your question she will often alert the doctor to the question before you are seen.This often helps the doctor prepare in advance, so your question can be answered in a rapid, concise manner.
Ask your doctor about his family Doctors are human beings with human lives and problems.When a patient asked about my family my engine automatically slowed down and a smile came to my face.I was grateful for the break in the action.I found myself making sure that all of that patient's questions were answered.
Ask your doctor how the malpractice crisis is affecting him When patients asked me this question I always forgot how busy I was. I gave them a passionate answer. I made sure all their questions were answered and that they were satisfied before they left the office.
Ask your doctor how the healthcare crisis is affecting him. I loved it when patients asked me this question. It gave me a chance to explain the problems with managed care and how the increasing doctor shortage was influencing patient volume and waiting time. I always walked away from that patient encounter feeling a little lighter. the patient usually walked away with a bag of any drug samples he needed. At the end of the day, after seeing 50 patients and answering countless phone calls, that patient's name and face remained in my mind.

Use the first 4 tips to be a responsible patient and to take ownership of your health. Use the last 3 to be a human being, and to help your doctor remember why he became a doctor in the first place.
Dr. Messina became a Board Certified Family Practitioner in 1985. He had a solo practice until 1994. At that time he helped form a group Family Practice in which he was Vice President. He left group practice in 1997 and became Medical Director of a Wellness Center. He was responsible for coordinating the efforts of nutritionists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, exercise physiologists, and Chinese medicine practitioners into patient care plans.He entered clinical research in 2000. He has been the Principal Investigator in over 50 clinical trials involving osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, dry eye, migraine, and diabetes prevention. He has served as a consultant to a nutritional company, and has formulated nutritional supplements.
Visit Dr. Messina's website at:
http://Physicianformulated.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicholas_Messina_M.D.

How Depression Hurts

By Nicholas Messina M.D.
Have you ever gone to the doctor with any of the following symptoms?
- Overwhelming fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Vague abdominal pain
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Joint aches
Have any of these symptoms been accompanied by the following complaints?
- Sleep disturbances
- Appetite disturbances
- Memory and concentration difficulties
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest in usual activities
- Lack of enjoyment in previously pleasurable activities
- Altered sex drive
Has your doctor done a thorough physical examination, followed by a battery of lab work and radiographic studies, only to tell you that everything is normal?
If this sounds familiar, you may be suffering from Multisomatoform Disorder (MSD). With this disorder patients suffer from three or more unexplained physical symptoms. Recent studies suggest that patients with MSD are at highest risk for an underlying depressive and/or anxiety disorder.
In a recent worldwide study of patients with diagnosed depression, over half of the patients reported multiple unexplained physical symptoms. Alone or in combination, Depression, Anxiety Disorder, or MSD can become debilitating.
If you are suffering from unexplained physical symptoms and feel anxious or sad, you need to see your physician to rule out the possibility of MSD, Depression, or Anxiety Disorder. Unexplained physical symptoms may be the warning signs of Depression, Anxiety Disorder, or MSD.
Remember, life is supposed to be enjoyed not endured.
Dr. Messina became a Board Certified Family Practitioner in 1985. He was in solo practice until 1994. He then helped form a group Family Practice in which he served as Vice President. He left group practice in 1997 and became the Medical Director of a Wellness Center. He was responsible for coordinating the efforts of nutritionists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, exercise physiologists, and Chinese medicine practitioners into integrated medical care plans that were individualized to the patient. He became the Medical Director of an independent clinical research facility in 2000. He has been the Principal Investigator in over 50 clinical trials involving osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, dry eye, migraine, and diabetes prevention. He has served as consultant to a nutritional company, and has formulated nutritional supplements.
Visit Dr. Messina's website ==>http://Physicianformulated.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicholas_Messina_M.D.

Homocysteine Heart Disease Risk Factor: What You Don't Know Can Kill You

By Nicholas Messina M.D.
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are still the number one health problem in the United States. Approximately 35% of all heart attacks occur in people with normal total cholesterol levels.
Research has shown that high levels of an amino acid called Homocysteine contributes to the progression of heart disease. Many researchers believe that the connection between Homocysteine and atherosclerosis is even stronger than the case against cholesterol. Some studies have shown that for each 5 micromoles per liter increase in homocysteine level, your risk for heart disease can increase by as much as 60 to 80%. The American Heart Association has indicated that a reasonable therapeutic goal for homocysteine levels should be less than 10 micromoles per liter.
How Homocysteine causes damage
Homocysteine injures the walls of arteries. Injured artery cells absorb LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. Homocysteine promotes the growth of smooth muscle cells in the artery which in turn narrows the lumen of the artery. As levels increase, you are at increased risk for the formation of blood clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Risk factors for increased Homocysteine levels include :
Smoking and tobacco usePost-Heart Attack or StrokeKidney FailureAdvanced AgePost menopauseChronic, excessive alcohol consumption
How Homocysteine levels become elevated
Homocysteine levels rise when your body does not have the necessary co-factors to breakdown Homocysteine.
The necessary co-factors to breakdown homocysteine to Cysteine and Methionine are Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6.
How to protect yourself against high levels of Homocysteine
Have your doctor check your Homocysteine level
Take adequate amounts of Folate. Natural Folate obtained from food is only 50% absorbed by the body when taken orally. Folic Acid, the synthetic form of Folate, is 100% absorbed after oral administration. Liquids are better absorbed than pills.
Take adequate amounts of Vitamin B12. The average diet supplies 5 to 15mcg per day in a form that is available after normal digestion. Recent studies have shown that at least 800mcg to 1mg of B12 given orally is necessary for proper gastrointestinal absorption.Liquids are better absorbed than pills.
Take adequate amounts of Vitamin B6. The need for B6 increases when the amount of protein increases in the diet. Liquids are better absorbed than pills.
Increased doses of Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6 have been shown to reduce elevated Homocysteine levels by up to 72%.
Prescription formulations of these vitamins with levels as high as 2.5mg of Folic acid, 1mg of B12, and 25mg of B6 have been shown to normalize plasma Homocysteine levels in patients at risk for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and stoke.
It is reasonable to assume that judicious dietary supplementation with these vitamins may aid in preventing these illnesses.
Dr. Messina became a Board Certified Family Practitioner in 1985. He had a solo practice until 1994. At that time he helped form a group Family Practice in which he was Vice President. He left group practice in 1997 and became Medical Director of a Wellness Center. He was responsible for coordinating the efforts of nutritionists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, exercise physiologists, and Chinese medicine practitioners into patient care plans.
He became Medical Director of an independent clinical research facility in 2000. He has been the Principal Investigator in over 50 clinical trials involving osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, dry eye, migraine, and diabetes prevention.
He has served as consultant to a nutritional company, and has formulated nutritional supplements.
Visit Dr. Messina's website at =>http://Physicianformulated.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicholas_Messina_M.D.

Endometrial Ablation: Heavy Period Solution

By Nicholas Messina M.D.
Life is supposed to be enjoyed, not endured. For some women menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) takes the joy out of life. It is very difficult to be spontaneous when you have to worry about embarrassing accidents, fatigue, and activities that may make bleeding heavier.
A recent survey by The National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) reported that excessive menstrual bleeding affects 10 million American women a year. The survey also reported that the majority of U.S. women with this condition do not seek treatment. The survey consisted of 653 women, ages 35 to 49, that experienced menorrhagia.The results found that 58 percent of the respondents had not discussed their condition with a health-care provider, even though menorrhagia greatly affected their lives and is easily treated.
Usually the normal period lasts 5 to 7 days and the blood loss is only one to two ounces per cycle. If you suffer from menorrhagia you can bleed 10 to 25 times that amount per month.
If you do bleed this heavy then you have experienced one or more of the following disruptive symptoms :
Heavy bleeding that interferes with your daily activities or lifestyle and causes you anxiety, worrying about embarrassing accidents
Heavy bleeding that includes large blood clots
Periods that last longer than 7 days.
Bleeding that soaks through one or more tampons or sanitary napkins every hour for several consecutive hours.
Fatigue or shortness of breath. (Both are symptoms of anemia)
In addition to these symptoms :
Do you have heavy periods even though you use birth control pills?
Have you missed work because of your period?
Do you tend to stay home when you have your period because it is too much trouble to go out?
Do you carry a large amount of feminine products or even a change of clothes with you when you do go out?
If this is sounding a bit too familiar; your next step is to confer with your doctor.
There are several causes of heavy menstrual bleeding, and the correct diagnosis must be made in order to receive the appropriate treatment.
Your doctor should take a complete medical history and perform a thorough physical exam. Depending on the results of the history and physical exam your doctor may order additional testing such as blood work, pelvic ultrasound, sonohysterogram, hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy or dilatation and curettage (D&C).
The good news is that there are safe and effective treatments.
For many women endometrial ablation provides an effective alternative to hysterectomy or hormonal therapy.
Endometrial Ablation is a surgical technique that uses a laser, heat, or freezing, to remove the lining of the uterus.
Uterine balloon therapy involves the use of a balloon that is inserted into the vagina, through the cervix, and placed into the uterus. The balloon is inflated with a sterile fluid until it fits the size and shape of the uterus. Then the fluid in the balloon is heated and the temperature is maintained for eight minutes while the uterine lining is thereby removed.
Any form of endometrial ablation is not the right treatment for you if you plan on having children. This treatment destroys the endometrium, which is necessary to carry a pregnancy to full term.
Endometrial ablation is not a contraceptive. You will have to use contraception correctly and consistently until menopause to prevent pregnancy.
Pregnancy after ablation will be risky for you and your baby.
Visit Dr. Messina's website at:
http://Physicianformulated.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicholas_Messina_M.D.